Sent by Jesus

‘Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness… As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.
“Do not get any gold or silver or copper to take with you in your belts- no bag for the journey or extra shirt or sandals or a staff, for the worker is worth his keep. Whatever town or village you enter, search there for some worthy person and stay at their house until you leave. As you enter the home, give it your greeting. If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you. If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet.
’ Matthew 10:1, 7-14

This passage follows on from what we read yesterday about God’s harvest field. Jesus tells his disciples to ask for harvesters in God’s harvest field, and now He sends them out to be those harvesters. The disciples don’t get away with just asking for harvesters, but they are the very answer to their own prayer!

The instructions Jesus gives are:

- Proclaim the Kingdom of heaven is near.
- Heal the sick, drive out demons and raise the dead.
- Freely give.
- Seek hospitality from those who will offer it.

Jesus wanted the world to receive the Kingdom of heaven, and He still does today. Jesus gave the disciples authority and He still gives us authority today.

The Kingdom of heaven can be understood as God’s reign and rule. In God’s reign and rule we know that blind eyes can see, the lame can walk, the deaf can hear and demons are driven out. We don’t always see the fullness of this today and we know that we live in a tension where God’s Kingdom is ‘now and not yet.’ Ultimate victory has been won on the cross by Jesus (Colossians 2:15), yet we still live in a broken world, waiting for the new creation. Yet, we pray in faith and we speak with authority, confident that we are all sent by Jesus to bring His light into darkness.

Being sent by Jesus means stepping out of our comfort zone. Being sent by Jesus means we pray and then we go.

What if YOU are the answer to your own prayer? What if YOU are the one through whom the Kingdom of heaven will break out in your family and community?

While prayer walking on our estate, I had a picture of tiny lights starting to light up every home in the community. Imagine what it could look like for the Kingdom of heaven to start lighting up every house on your street, in your town and in this nation.

God sent Jesus into the world so that anyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16). His desire is that we may all know Him.

Today, Jesus is sending YOU into your world. Will you go?

- Susie Raybould

Inward prayer: Lord, thank you for healing and freedom in your name. Thank you that you offer me life in abundance.

Outward prayer: Lord, help me to step out of my comfort zone to be a catalyst for change in my world. Help me to go where you are sending me.

1 Comment


Tomi - September 13th, 2021 at 1:27pm

Amen to the prayer.

Thanks Susie